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James Michael Becher

Of Such Is The Kingdom Part I—Discontent and Insurrection

Synopsis

Step back into New Testament times--to Ancient Jerusalem at the time of Christ and of the historical Roman Empire, and ask: What could a cynical, non-conformist dry-goods salesman, a disgruntled blacksmith, and a musing mendicant all have in common? The answer: Down deep, they all seek something better. But will they find the true fulfillment they are seeking? The non-conformist, Manaheem, Herod's foster brother, is hired by Herod to foment an insurrection against Pontius Pilate, whom he distrusts. Manaheem recruits the blacksmith, Barabbas, to be the insurrection leader, to the dismay of Barabbas' Godly but fearful wife (when he finally tells her). The mendicant, an unfortunate but pensive young man named Timotheus, joins with an older beggar completely unsympathetic to his musings. Pontius Pilate sees himself as a weak ruler, but his wife pushes him to be stronger and to even take over Herod's territory. Manaheem re-unites with his former wife, Claressa. In need of more money, he tries to blackmail Herod over his illicit affair with Herodius, his brother’s wife, but, Herod decides to marry Herodius and send his present wife back to her father. John the Baptist preaches to Herod and looses his head. Herod's palace is attacked, and suspecting Pilate, he tells Manaheem go ahead with the mission. Barabbas is successful in forming a group of insurrectionists and they rehearse for the big day.

Author Biography

I, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on June 8, 1943 to a Christian family and accepted Jesus at an early age. In Jr. High School, I became interested in writing and drama. I wrote poems, articles and a few short stories, and plays. In college, I won second prize in a contest with a Biblical short story, which now forms part of my first novel, “Of Such Is The Kingdom, A novel of the Christ and the Roman Empire,” published in 2003.
In 2010, I wrote the sequel, “Of Such Is the Kingdom, Part III,
Power and Persecution, A Novel of the early Church and the Roman Empire.”
I also wrote a Sci-fi novel, “Impossible Journey, A Tale of Times and Truth” and a non-fiction book, “Principles of the Kingdom."
I graduated from Clearwater Christian College in 1970 with a B.A. degree in Bible-Literature, and from Biblical School of Theology in 1974 with a M. Div. Ordained in November, 1974, I served as assistant pastor/Bible teacher in several churches. I also served in a foreign-student ministry, where I met my wife, Berenice Carett from Venezuela.
In 2014 I wrote an American historical novel, called "The Christmas Victory."

Author Insight

More of Non-conformity and Romance

Manaheem's story continues in this excerpt from Chapter 5 of my Biblical novel. Here he tells Herod what happened after he met his true love, Claressa--of their immediate but short lived happiness together and what she meant to him. This Chapter is important as it serves as necessary background for the re-kindling of that romance later in the novel, which in turn serves as a further plot catalyst (But that's getting ahead of the story.)

Book Excerpt

Of Such Is The Kingdom Part I—Discontent and Insurrection

I asked her out for dinner a few times, and before I knew it, we were getting serious. She told me she had given up years ago on trying to find someone to share her nonconformist views. And now, here I was.

“Within a year, we were married. Claressa, aside from being the joy of my life, was a great help to me. It was she who taught me how to really stand up to people and tell them what I thought. Oh, she did the standing up herself for a while, but I soon caught on, and though I floundered a little at first, with her at my side, improvement came quickly and easily.

“We had a great life together, Claressa and I, for a brief span of two years. Then, I don’t know exactly what happened, but somehow, the relationship began to deteriorate. I guess our respective individual traits kept coming through more and more, and we began getting on each other’s nerves. I guess we should have realized it would never have lasted with two people who were so strongly individualistic. Nothing I did would please her, and the declining state of my finances didn’t help either. Finally, after another half year of miserably attempted togetherness, we were divorced.”

“That’s sure sad, Manaheem,” said Herod, staring into the now empty glass.

“Yes it is. But one good thing came out of it. She taught me to stand on my own, and I’ve stood ever since. I never found anyone else like her, and I know I never will.”